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The Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail is a 4.2-mile, out-and-back trail which is part of the Carolina Thread Trail.


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Map Key

4.2

Miles

6.7

KM

Out and Back

631' 192 m

High

509' 155 m

Low

192' 59 m

Up

192' 59 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

6%

Max Grade (3°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · River/Creek · Wildlife

Family Friendly While a full out-and-back might be a bit difficult for smaller children, this is a perfect trail to teach youngsters about local bird species, a healthy ecosystem, and the role of prescribed fires.

Overview

The Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail is 2.1 miles one way, or 4.2 miles for the entire out-and-back. It is preserved by the Catawba Lands Conservancy. The natural surface trail travels through restored oak-savanna, farmland, and also follows along Adams Creek. The trail follows a lovely forest along the banks of Adams Creek ending where the forest and farmland meet a neighborhood subdivision. The highlight of this section of trail is the view from a high bluff over Adams Creek that looks back towards the town of Mt. Pleasant. Adams Creek is a tributary of Dutch Buffalo Creek.

Description

The Buffalo Creek Trail is located in Cabarrus County and features natural surface along with gravel road which is popular for walking, hiking, running and mountain biking.

The trail starts winding through a restored oak-savanna and then meanders along farm fields of hay and grain. Before the trail finishes, it enters a younger forest and then along a bluff over Adams Creek. This is a popular trail for birders, home to many bird species including two ground-nesting birds; the imperiled Grasshopper Sparrow and Northern Shrike.

With help from the North Carolina Forestry Service and other agencies, routine prescribed fires are conducted to promote the warm-season grasses and create habitat for many bird species and other wildlife.

Flora & Fauna

You'll likely see a variety of birds along this route, so keep an eye out!

Contacts

Shared By:

Kristen Arendt with improvements by Carolina Thread Trail

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 12 votes

#3222

Overall
  4.0 from 12 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
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1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#127

in North Carolina

#3,222

Overall
30 Views Last Month
1,770 Since Nov 22, 2016
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Photos

Bridge at Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail
Jun 18, 2019 near Mount P…, NC
Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail
Jun 18, 2019 near Mount P…, NC
A suspension bridge provides easy passage over Adams Creek.
Jan 4, 2017 near Mount P…, NC

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Check-Ins

Apr 8, 2022
Lucas Christie
12h 39m
Mar 7, 2021
Mark Grigg
Jun 13, 2020
Sara Howard
4.2mi — 1h 45m
May 2, 2020
Joshua Nuhfer
4.2mi — 2h 45m
Apr 29, 2020
John Booth
Nice trail Thur wooded area and creek with bridge. Open areas had a lot of pet waste not very scenic. 4.2mi — 13h 54m
Apr 5, 2020
Mike Street
Easy trail, 2 out and 2 back. Be sure to dip your feet in the water at the bridge 4.2mi — 1h 22m
Jun 9, 2019
Skylar Heidel
Mar 12, 2017
David Holbrook
A little cold... mid 40s (it snowed a little this morning) but big beautiful blue skies in the afternoon. 4.4mi
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